The Greek Government responded very quickly to the damage caused by the fires two weeks ago by announcing a series of emergency measures for the protection of the areas that suffered from the fires.
The government said it would help rebuild houses destroyed in the fire and support local farmers, vowing to restore the forests and take protection measures in future.
Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias announced the measures following a meeting of the Greek cabinet.
Souflias announced that planning will be carried out very soon for the implementation of flood-protection and corrosion-protection measures, as well as the creation of fire-protection zones and the construction of roads through forests to enable easy access to all regions affected by the fires.
He stressed that the countryside will be linked by satellite for the monitoring of land to be reforested, like in the case of Mount Parnitha, and the region will also be placed under constant surveillance.
“We shall get to work immediately. All services and officials must coordinate themselves and I believe that with the help of all we shall be able to confront this great ecological disaster that has taken place to a considerable degree,” he said.
The Greek government also announced financial aid for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed during the fires.
750 euros per square metre, up to a maximum area of 120 square meters, will be provided by the Greek government for homes that have been completely destroyed and 450 euros per square meter for homes that were damaged, according to government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros.
The government also said it will provide municipalities and prefectures affected by the blazes with an injection of 3.3 million euros, while adding that inspectors have been sent out to record damages suffered by stock breeders and crop farmers to determine compensation.
Meanwhile, the National Bankof Greece announced that fire victims having any form of loan with the lender can ask to be included in a program offering more flexibility in their payments.